.338 win mag Loads

[PaLongshank]

Looking for some input from peeps with more experience than me with the .338WM.....going to be using a Browning A Bolt in .338 win mag on Elk and Mule deer hunt in Wyoming.  I know hitting the 10 ring is always most important but what bullet do you think would be most versed to handle both jobs without fault (partition, accubond, fail safe, interlock, ballistic tip, XXX, SST, GMX).  Have not really started playing with loads yet.....185gr, 200gr, or 225gr bullets?  Any input and pet loads from guys/gals who have taken both would be greatly appreciated.  Have much experience hunting Elk and Deer but has always been with the stick and string........Thanks, PaLongshank

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Pa, my best load for the .338 win. was a 210 grain Nosler Part. with a heavy load of Re.19...this was Bob Hagels favorite elk bullet in the 338 cal.  but at the time I used it and when Bob was alive the 225 Part. was not available...I shoot this out of a .340 and like it real well, but for both deer and elk, the 210 might be the way to go with the smaller cased .338...so a guy has ample speed incase of a long poke at a huge mulie...Nosler Part. have been my standard premium bullet as the others are trying to equal what Nosler did years ago....I don't know where you will hunt in Wy. but some of the units have very open country with huge canyons...or you could hunt the NW mts. and have some heavy timber...with the chance for a longer shot across and open park....either way the 210 would be a dandy...my next pick would be a 225 Nosler Part.  I have used Accubonds, and like them, but the Part. is still my top pick.........

[DennisB]

I gotta agree with Coyote Hunter on the Partitions.  I used the 250 grainers for moose and caribou when I lived in Alaska, stayed away from the "varmint weights"
Whichever way, stick with a premium bullet that your rifle shoots well--after all, how often to you hunt out West?
Good shooting!

[simplicity]

I've been loading the 338 for 20 years now, first off I live in maine and all I hunt is deer (haven't gotten a moose permit yet) My main deer load is a 180 grain ballistic tip (not made anymore I have alot of them) I load them over a charge of 76.0 grains of IMR 4350 (please work up to this) which gives me a velocity of 3200 fps (chrono'd) also I want to state this load is flatter shooting then any 7mm rem mag load on the market. This load on every deer I have shot from 20 ft. to 400 yards only penetrates about 12 inches, my whole family calls my gun withthis load the deer zapper all just have dropped in their tracks.  How the accubond 180 ballistically I don't know I haven't shot them I have some just haven't loaded any.  A load that you might be interested in I have that I think might be the ticket for you course please work up to this, is a 225 accubond  over  69.0 grains  of IMR 4350 which gives a velocity of 2850 fps. both of these loads shoot under .75 moa out of my rifle which is a remington 700 BDL.  The final load I ahve had luck with is a 250 gr. seirra gameking on a charge of 68.7 grains of IMR 4350 (can you tell I like this powder?) it gives a velocity of 2700 ( another very accurate load only have taken one deer with it not much meat damage) I hope these help yuh out.

[Sourdough]

I've been loading for the .338 Win Mag since 1985.  Have loaded everything from 180gr to 275gr bullets.  Settled on the Nosler Partition in 225gr as the best shooting and performing.  In the lat 20 years that is the only bullet I shoot in all my .338s except my TCR.  The TCR likes the 200s best, and it won't handle the velocities of the other three.  I have a Ruger M-77, Ruger M-77 MKII, and a Savage 110.